We would like to say thank you for the many who have prayed over our newest blessing for the past year. The Lord continued to remind us that His timing is perfect and His plans are far above ours! Anne Denny had heard from many visitors that planned to come in October and said “Let’s see how the Lord will work out the timing.” Sure enough our baby girl came early and we had several people to cover the classroom for Ryan so he was able to adjust with having a newborn at home. It is fun to see how the Lord works through many people who pray for and support the mission from near and far. Thank you all for your faithfulness in prayer and love for all of us here.
Thank you so much for praying for us and being a part of our celebration through gifts that you sent. God gave us a wonderful day with beautiful weather (though we did appreciate the outdoor fires that we put in the shade). We gave out 300 gift bags to adults and 75 gift bags to children and I think there might have been 50 who didn’t take a gift bag but did eat beans and hot dogs and visit with us.
Some highlights of the program were the school kids singing Go Tell it on the Mountain and Away in a Manger in Navajo, our two preachers both giving the Good News of salvation, and Danae Olson Schonberg (a direct descendant of the original Holcombs who began the work here in 1922) sharing a testimony of God’s faithfulness through the generations that was translated for the crowd.
A highlight of the day for me was visiting with so many former students and staff (Ruth Bloom even came back for the day!) who travelled to be here. I also met several who went to school here in the 1940s. One grandma said she was raised as a Christian but drifted away after she married a non-believer. She now wants to put her grandchild in our school so he will learn to sing about Jesus.
Another bonus story; Raefer said one man was so excited about the rollup he got that he wasn’t going to open it for a while, just enjoy it.
And a bonus picture; today our youngest teacher, Tamara, organized a crazy Christmas sweater day for all the teachers. Here are many of us at breakfast.
We get so much joy out of giving, especially when it is well received. I pray that all of us will receive well the gift of eternal life that God offers us through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Praise Him!
Many of our elderly tell of coming to Immanuel Mission for a Christmas celebration on wagons, some even getting here the night before and sleeping by a fire under the stars. There was a Navajo preacher telling the Good News of God coming to earth as a baby, living as a man, then going to the cross for our sins before rising again the 3rd day and giving us the right to become children of God. The missionaries would serve beans and hotdogs and coffee. Then there was a gift bag with sewing kits, toiletries, roll ups (candy stuffed in an empty TP roll and wrapped in paper) hats or mittens or scarves and other goodies. It was fun for the kids to play with friends and it was good for the adults to visit with relatives.
We plan to replicate that this year on December 16th to celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness to the Sweetwater community. Join us in praying for good weather, a clear Gospel message, and heart felt worship and submission to our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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From the Principal’s Office
We are blessed to have all of our teachers return this year and currently have 53 students. Pray for the Kindergarten, our largest grade with 12 students, who all crave a lot of attention. Mrs. Susan is doing a wonderful job with the help of Serena Benallie in the mornings and Tamara Clyde continues to help in the afternoons. We love to sing each day and I love to hear God’s Word being taught and memorized in each classroom daily.
You’d think that after 100 years of God’s faithfulness to Immanuel Mission, I would cease to be surprised when He goes over and beyond. It is a joy to receive all the donations you have sent for our Old-Fashioned Navajo Christmas. I am constantly delighted by the support from people all over the US. I have a school bus bursting full of donations you’ve already sent! Even before I have a chance to ask, the Lord uses people like you to provide! Thank you so much! I love the way you’ve come alongside us in this outreach to our community.
This is the latest update as of October 28: The Blue Bird Flour Mill in Cortez, CO gave us an amazing per bag price and all 300 bags have been paid for by donations from you. We have over 200 of the 300 Spam we need. Roll ups are now coming in. We have two large tubs of toiletries. Our Navajo sewing class under Susan Price has sewn 152 drawstring bags to complete our supply of bags.
We could still use socks for the elderly, wash cloths and dish towels, fruit cups, laundry soaps and small cans of Crisco. Additional toothpaste, deodorant, and nail clippers are needed. Some recently requested items are a small sewing kit and new or gently-used puzzles.
Don’t hesitate to email any questions and I’ll do my best to answer you. kelli.is.his@gmail.com
Once again, thank you all for your support and prayers!
I am moving to Kansas the first weekend of November. My son Rex and his wife bought a home 15 miles south of Topeka. One of the selling points of the property was a small home for me. I am excited to go and live closer to my children and grandchildren. My new address is
Ruth Bloom 11473 S. Jordan Rd. Wakarusa, KS 66546
I have turned my jobs over to others here at the Mission and I guess I am now retired. It is a nice feeling. I am packing and downsizing my things. Three of my sons and maybe a grandson will come and move me back to Kansas. Losing my husband and Mother in little more than a year is hard, but the Lord is so good and is meeting my needs and carrying me along. He uses my family and friends to comfort and support. Ruth Bloom
From the editor: If you would like to continue to support Ruth financially and want a tax deductible receipt, you may send donations designated for Ruth Bloom to
Christian Worker’s Fellowship Fund PO Box 12347 Kansas City, KS 66112
Hello! It’s me Dedra Lee. I run the thrift store on campus with my family. I am also a Sunday School teacher, an EPIC youth leader, art teacher for preK-8th grade, mom of four plus a new-born, and a wife…and I will add one of Ruth’s many jobs to the list—receiving donations for Immanuel Mission.
I feel fortunate to be given this job. Ruth has done so much here at IM and as much as we love her being here, God has other plans for her and we’ll continue to pray for her as she begins another chapter and is with family that love her dearly. I’m sure she will be missed here by staff, students and the Sweetwater community.
You can now contact me for donations information, to know what we can use. I hope to do my best to communicate with all who send donations. I look to the Lord as I am given this job (Colossians 3:23) to do it well. Thank you all who support Immanuel Mission through donations, financially and through prayers.
You can reach me at dedralee3@gmail.com or text (928) 814-5224
I am a new mom once again, the 6th time over. We had a little girl, her name is Natalia Ruth Begaye, she is now 2 months old. So, she and I accepted Ruth Bloom’s job of doing the Kids’ Christmas for the school. I think we will have fun and are ready too on days we are free from appointments and, you know, mommy duties. Please meet our little precious.
But at the same time, please pray for us as we take on another job—that we are able to do it and make good decisions. We will be making gift bags for the students including toys, winter wear, hygiene supplies, and candy.
As far as donations for this, I am going to accept anything you send, I cannot say what is needed right now. What we receive will be greatly appreciated. So thank you in advance,
Over the past year I have had the privilege of learning the bookkeeping role from Ruth Bloom. I am amazed at the work the Lord has had her doing here over about 20 years in this position. I am going to miss serving alongside Ruth and yet know that in the body of Christ we are still striving together for the kingdom of heaven just at a greater distance. I am thankful for her wisdom and training over this past year and pray that I can follow her footsteps in glorifying God through the position of bookkeeping for the mission. If you have any questions regarding financial gifts or support for the mission or staff here please feel free to contact me directly: imissionbookkeeper@gmail.com
Greetings, I am going to tag along my husband’s writing. What a joy and privilege it is to serve the Lord! This year has been full of change and we praise the Lord no matter what. I was asked to take over the position of guest house administrator for the mission and have loved every second of learning from Ruth a position she has served in for years. We are always happy to have guests and fellow believers who want to see the mission and work here. If you have questions about guest housing feel free to reach out: elizabethmskillen@gmail.com
We are excited to see how the Lord is using many changes for His plan and to glorify Himself. Thank you for your prayers, love, and support over the years. Please continue praying for the mission and our dear sister Ruth as she follows the Lords leading into this next chapter of her life.
Immanuel Mission 